Smiling Fields forever

Tuesday

Jun 15, 2004 at 1:27 AM

ERIC BOYNTON Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- With his ball cap on backwards and a mega-watt smile stretching the boundaries of his cheeks, Mark Fields looked more like a teenager anticipating summer fun than an athlete joining summer training.

The Carolina linebacker missed all of last season after an early August prognosis of Hodgkin's disease, and after taking part in light individual work during the team's summer school, he returned to full practice on Monday.

When the doctors gave him clearance to practice, Fields "ran out of that hospital so fast, I think I was running a 4.2 out of there. It was a tremendous joy on my part."

The 31-year-old suffered no setbacks in his recovery and had been anxiously awaiting the doctors' OK to join his teammates, who bore grins as big as his own.

"After a year off, it felt real good," Fields said. "A little too much smiling out there and I've got to get over that and get back to playing ball. There are a lot of happy faces."

He laughed when saying that even quiet defensive lineman Julius Peppers was happily chirping at Fields participation.

"We've all been watching Mark and praying for him" kicker John Kasay said. "Today's a special day in his life, but it is in ours too."

Fields said Monday's workout "absolutely" meant more than any practice in his lifetime before quoting champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who said, "when you get a second chance, you're going to go all out."

"He's been working out and looks very good," Coach John Fox said. "He's got some rough spots, obviously, because football is different than working out."

Fields compared his comeback to a marathon rather than a sprint, saying, "we're getting ready to embark on a journey here that's going to be extremely difficult. I feel I'll be right on target when we line up against Green Bay on Monday night (Sept. 13). I'll be ready to go."

Fields was signed from St. Louis in 2002 and established a career mark and team high with 127 tackles. His team-record seven forced fumbles for the NFL's second ranked defense.

"A lot of people want to see me come back out here and play," Fields said. "It's like a second chance. You're young, you've got a chance to play and the season that I finished on is where you want to get back to."

Training camp starts July 29th, a necessary evil dreaded by most of his teammates, but that day can't get here fast enough and camp can't go long enough to appease his feeling of unfinished business.

"This is flag football right now and I'm looking forward to training camp," Fields said. "We can't leave Spartanburg. The last time I was there I left a little early, so I'm looking forward to a nice long stay."

NEW FACE: First-round draft choice Chris Gamble made his summer school debut Monday after missing the first seven workouts due to NCAA regulations involving the end of college semester.

Gamble has spent his time since mini-camp learning the playbook and working out in Houston.

"I just told myself to keep working hard and when I got out here to keep making plays every time," Gamble said.

"I feel more comfortable coming back out here after mini-camp."

PAW PRINTS: Receiver Donald Hayes fractured his clavicle and will miss four-to-six weeks with Fox saying he should be ready for training camp.

• Receiver Scott McCready was signed after leading NFL Europe with 59 receptions.